tooth replacement Archives - Cornerstone Dentistry

Is it Too Late to Get My Tooth Back In?

Posted on April 29, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need some advice. I was in a car accident with my family. One of my teeth was knocked out as a result another is still in my mouth. Because my son was rushed to the hospital, I did not get a chance to take care of myself. Is it too late to save my tooth that was knocked out or to do something about the tooth knocked back? I can tell it is leaning toward my nose and it hurts.

Jack

Dear Jack,

First, let me say I am so sorry about your accident and that you had the stress of taking your son to the hospital. I hope he is okay. Now, let’s take care of your needs. As far as the tooth you lost, if you get the tooth to the dentist in close to thirty minutes, you have the best chance of saving it. It is definitely considered a dental emergency. Obviously, that will not work in your situation. While you will not be able to save the tooth, it can be replaced.

The best tooth replacement option is to get a dental implant. This is the closest thing to having a healthy, natural tooth in your mouth again. They are secure as well.

As for the tooth that has been knocked out of place, sometimes a surgeon can get it back in place, but that will depend on the type of damage done and the amount of time since the incident happened. Other times, you need to have it moved into place with orthodontics. You will probably need a root canal treatment and dental crown on that tooth as well.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Options for a Tooth Infection

Posted on March 2, 2021 by writeradmin.

I had a tooth which had a filling. It had been bothering me for a while so I decided to have it looked at. He told me the tooth is infected and I need to have it extracted. I wanted to know if extracting the tooth is the only option or if there are other things that can be done which will allow me to save the tooth. It a lower second molar.

Philomena

Dear Philomena,

In most cases, you have options as to what to do with an infected tooth. However, if you are on a government-funded dental care plan, they will only allow the cheapest option. In that case, removing the tooth is the only option unless you want to pay it out of pocket.

If the tooth is infected and you want to save the tooth, which is always recommended, then I would suggest a root canal treatment. Not only does this allow you to save the tooth, but because it is likely the inside tissue is dead it will be more comfortable for you than an extraction.

One thing that bothers me about this is your dentist did not give you any other options. He is under an ethical obligation to do so. I don’t understand why he didn’t unless he is just lazy and does not like putting forth effort to save teeth.

After your root canal treatment, it may be recommended that you get a dental crown. This is because a root canal can make a tooth a bit brittle and this will help protect it.

If you decide to extract the tooth, you will want to replace it. There are also many options for that as well. The best replacement is a dental implant. But, you can also get a dental bridge or a removable partial denture.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Options for an Infected Tooth

Posted on September 30, 2020 by writeradmin.

A month ago I had a filling placed on a lower second molar. It bothered me every day since and I was taking daily ibuprofen just to get past the pain. I told my dentist I felt like I needed to come back in. He did an x-ray and said the tooth now has an abscess and I need to have it extracted. Is there another option?

Brandon

Dear Brandon,

Whether you have options will depend on whether you are on government-funded insurance or not. If you are on something like Medicaid, then they don’t give you options. You do the cheapest solution or pay for it yourself. In your case, that would be an extraction. This may be why your dentist only told you about the extraction. However, a dentist is supposed to give you all your options, in my opinion, that would include the ones where your insurance doesn’t cover things.

The best solution for an infected tooth, especially a lower second molar is a root canal treatment. This will help save the tooth. Plus, the tissue inside the tooth is dead. This means it would be less traumatic to have a root canal treatment as well.

There are financial considerations with an extraction even if that is what your insurance wants. If you save the molar, you don’t have to replace it. If you extract the molar it will require a false tooth be placed there, such as a dental implant. That will cost even more money.

My suggestion is you get a second opinion on this tooth. I am actually a little suspicious that the original filling wasn’t done correctly and that is why he is anxious to pull the tooth.

If it does turn out the tooth cannot be saved and you replace it with a dental implant. I want you to be certain the dentist who does the implant has significant post-doctoral training in placing them. For instance, Dr. Thomas is a Fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). This means he not only has advanced training but has recognized skills. Implant placement is an advanced skill that requires post-doctoral training. There are horror stories from patients who had them done by inexperienced dentists.

This blog is brought to you by Sugarland Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.